If it dosent bother you to have the nest there, I would not worry about them. They can be pretty persistant,you could kock it down a dozen times and if the want to be there, they will.I have them close to my deck and I have three dogs that chase them every time they come out the door, dont care, come back every time.The robins even fallow me when I water so they can get any worms that so happen to surface.So if you dont mind them just let them be they will flush when you go out, and come back when your gone.But if they are making a mess on your deck then I understand you wanting them gone.Just start spraing the hose up there evey day full blast and knock the nest down and maybe they will get the hint.

I'm new here, so this is actually a question rather than comment. Last year, a Robin built a nest in iron basket on my front porch. About 3 weeks ago a dove built there and laid her eggs. Yesterday, a large piece from a plastic shopping bag was on top of the nest. The eggs were still there, but one has rolled away from the nest. The dove/s didn't return all day. This morning a Robin was working on building on top of the plastic and eggs. I am wondering what could have happened. Did the dove abandon because the eggs weren't going to hatch or something else.

Wonderful pictures! I searched and found references to "Ceremonial Gaping" in robins. "Courtship includes courtship feeding, where the male feeds the female; ceremonial gaping, where the males and females approach each other and touch widely opened bills; and singing." Hinterland Who's Who Claire

I have no idea; very strange indeed. Robins are usually loyal and caring parents. I would stay away; they would feed the baby while building others "nests" I think. Robins sometimes change their minds and build a few nests before egg-laying; not usually while raising young though.